Biography

Canadian hard rock outfit formed in 1978 by Mike Reno (Joseph Michael Rynoski, 8 January 1955, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; vocals), Paul Dean (b. 19 February 1946, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; guitar), Doug Johnston (b. 19 December 1957, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; keyboards), Scott Smith (b. Donald Scott Smith, 13 February 1955, d. November 2000, California, USA; bass) and Matthew Frenette (b. 7 March 1954, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; drums). Reno was formerly with Moxy, and Dean and Frenette had been members of Streetheart, a melodic AOR/heavy rock band. With this pedigree, Loverboy was signed up by Columbia Records in March 1980. Producer Bruce Fairbairn helped them to record a self-titled album that was to set Loverboys standard for years to come. It was an US styled melodic hard rock collection that also dipped into reggae and jazz moods. Buoyed by the US hit singles Turn Me Loose (number 35) and The Kid Is...